The parity era continues to shape the landscape of the NBA, as the league witnesses a remarkable shift in championship dynamics. The New York Knicks, who last celebrated an NBA championship in 1973, are among the final four teams vying for glory this season. Similarly, the Indiana Pacers secured their most recent title in the same year, but that was during their time in the ABA. The Oklahoma City Thunder, with just one championship under their belt from 1979 when they were based in Seattle, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have never reached the NBA Finals, complete this intriguing quartet.
When NBA Commissioner Adam Silver presents the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy next month, it will signify a historic moment in the league's history—marking the first time that seven different franchises have claimed the championship in a span of just seven years. Since the Golden State Warriors achieved back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018, the championship landscape has become increasingly unpredictable. The subsequent champions include the Toronto Raptors in 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, Golden State again in 2022, Denver Nuggets in 2023, and Boston Celtics last season. This represents the longest duration of different champions in NBA history.
While major sports leagues such as Major League Baseball, the NHL, and the NFL have experienced longer stretches of diverse champions, the NBA's shift towards unpredictability is particularly noteworthy. Following four consecutive Finals matchups between Cleveland and Golden State from 2015 to 2018, the league's desire for variability has certainly paid off. Regardless of which teams meet in this year’s NBA Finals, there will be 11 different franchises that have won their respective conference championships over the last seven seasons.
The excitement is palpable as the NBA season concludes for 26 of the league's 30 teams, and the real competition is just beginning. The Western Conference Finals will kick off on Tuesday night, featuring the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves going head-to-head with the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma. Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference Finals will commence on Wednesday night with the No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers facing off against the No. 3 seed New York Knicks in Manhattan. Both the Timberwolves and Pacers are looking to avenge losses from last year’s conference finals.
“You’ve got to have big dreams,” stated Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “You don’t know how often you’re going to be in this position.” The current championship window seems shorter than in previous eras, as evidenced by the Boston Celtics, who were favorites to repeat but were eliminated in the second round, partly due to injuries to key players like Jayson Tatum.
Injuries have significantly influenced playoff outcomes this season. Damian Lillard suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the first round, which derailed the Milwaukee Bucks' chances. Additionally, Cleveland, the top seed in the East, faced early elimination in Round 2 against Indiana due to numerous health issues among their players. Stephen Curry's hamstring strain also marked the end of Golden State’s postseason run against Minnesota. “He’s our sun,” remarked Golden State coach Steve Kerr, underscoring Curry's pivotal role on the team.
As the playoffs progress, it's noteworthy that none of the remaining teams have a player who has previously been named NBA Finals MVP. Currently, only seven players remain who have participated in a Finals game, including Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith, and Thomas Bryant from Indiana; P.J. Tucker, Cam Payne, and Mikal Bridges from New York; and Alex Caruso from Oklahoma City. Siakam stands out as the only player with over 100 Finals points among them.
Potential candidates for the next Finals MVP include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the standout guard from the Thunder; Jalen Brunson, the clutch performer from the Knicks; Anthony Edwards, the likely future face of the league from Minnesota; and Tyrese Haliburton, the talented guard from Indiana who has been frequently overlooked. “Our ultimate goal isn’t just the Western Conference finals,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “You’ve got to go through there to get there.”
If the remaining four teams were assessed as if they were part of their own league this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder would emerge as the frontrunner based on head-to-head matchups. The Thunder recorded an impressive 6-2 record against the other three conference finalists, while both the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers concluded their matchups with a 3-4 record. The Minnesota Timberwolves finished at 3-5 against these teams, raising questions about their potential to advance.
The Thunder swept both the Pacers and Knicks, while the Pacers managed to sweep the Timberwolves. As the conference finals approach, Oklahoma City and Minnesota split their four meetings, showcasing a fierce competition that promises excitement. Meanwhile, the Knicks achieved a 2-1 record against Indiana, with all three games being decided by 11 points or more.
“You can feel good about it, feel however you want to feel about it,” Haliburton expressed regarding their playoff journey. “But at the end of the day, we’re not done. We know we all have a bigger goal in mind. Our goal wasn’t just to get to the Eastern Conference finals and be done. Our goal is to win a championship.”
